Keeping Havanas

To keep Havanas ready for smoking, they should be stored at between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius and at a relative humidity of 65 to 70 percent.

Given the vagaries of our climate, you will be well advised to invest in a humidor, which is a cabinet fitted with a moisture source. This will enable you to keep a small quantity of cigars ready for day to day smoking at home or in the office. Larger quantities are best stored with your Cigar Merchant.

The Condition Test

Before you light up the Havana of your choice you may wish to check that it is in good condition. Hold the cigar between your thumb and index and squeeze gently. It should feel slightly springy to the touch.

The wrapper leaf should feel like silk with the sheen of the natural oils present.

Some people make a great show of rolling a cigar next to their ear. "Listening to the band", as is termed in the trade, served no useful purpose and risks ruining the cigar.

Cutting

Use a guillotine or special scissors to cut off most of the cap. Make your incision almost to the full width of the cigar but leave part of the cap intact to avoid the wrapper unraveling.

Think again before piercing the end with a match or cocktail stick. It compresses the tobacco into a lump which impedes the draw.

There is no need to remove the band at this stage. When the cigar has warmed up you can take the band off without damaging the wrapper.

Lighting

An odorless flame from a butane gas lighter or match, after the head has burned, is best. Use a petrol lighter or a wax match only if you want the cigar to taste of petrol or wax.

Lighting a Havana is far too important to be rushed. First char the open end in a flame to prepare it for even ignition.

Now gently blow on the glowing end to ensure that it is burning evenly.

Then place it between your lips and draw the flame into the cigar while rotating it with your fingers.

The fatter the cigar, the more time and care, must be devoted to bringing it to life.

Re-Lighting

If your cigar goes out, you need not abandon it. Re-light it by applying a flame to the perimeter to burn away the wrapper which will resemble the rim of a tiny volcanic crater. Then, re-light as with a new cigar, first blowing through it to clear out any stale, residual smoke that may linger within the filler.
 

Smoking

Don't inhale - it's not a cigarette - but gently draw the smoke into your mouth and let it play gloriously on your taste buds. Relax and savor the suble flavor of the blend of Havana tobaccos, aged and matured for three years or more. Sip it as you would a rare old single malt scotch whisky.

Never dunk your Havana in a nearby glass of wine or spirits, a little known habit of the late Winston Churchill. Not only does it obliterate the delicate flavor but it shows scant respect for the time and skill which has gone into the making of your cigars.

Don't flick the ash as cigarette smokers do. Allow a long ash to form. Its evenness shows how well your Havana is made. Let the ash fall in its own good time preferably into an ashtray.
 

Parting

There is never any need to stub out a Havana. Just lay it to rest when it has served its purpose. It will go out quickly all by itself. Let it die with dignity.